Cacao

Organic Raw Cacao Benefits:

1. Cacao is a natural prebiotic for your gut

One of the main reasons why cacao is good for you stems from the positive impact it has on your gut health. Prebiotics and probiotics are key to promoting a healthy gut. The high fiber content in raw cacao makes it a great source of prebiotics, which are fuel that the "good" bacteria in your gut needs to grow, thrive, and make sure the bad microbes can't take over. High fiber also means improved digestion and less constipation. 

2. You're getting a ton of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals

Antioxidants are substances found in foods that work to prevent cell damage in the body. Cacao beans contain polyphenols, which is a type of antioxidant. Curious about the power of polyphenols? One small study of 22 participants found that consuming cacao with a high flavanol content (a type of polyphenol) resulted in sizable increases in both Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli bacteria strains. These two strains are pretty much the gold standard and people with a healthy gut have an abundance of them. As for the role polyphenols play for gut health, they act as an anti-inflammatory agent that fortifies your gut and intestinal lining to help with conditions like leaky gut. Cacao also has a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it contains. It's loaded with iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. You'll also find small amounts of vitamins A, B, E, and K.

3. It's good for your heart

Flavanols are compounds found mainly in fruits and vegetables but they're also found in raw cacao. They come from the polyphenol family and are known for reducing inflammation in cardiovascular tissue, easing the strain on your arteries, and lowering blood pressure. Research has also linked flavanols to a reduced risk of heart disease.

4. Cacao can improve your skin

Want to protect your skin? The antioxidants in Cacao are a great skin wellness hack. The benefits of cacao for the skin come from flavanols. Research indicates they may help mitigate negative effects of UV light, hydrate your skin, and help with wrinkles.

5. Boosts to cognitive health and mood

Once again, flavanols exist as a key driver behind the benefits of cacao. This time, it relates to your brain health and mood. Research has linked cacao consumption to regions of the brain, such as the hippocampus, that deal with improving learning and memory. The "feel-good" sensation you get after eating cacao might actually have some science behind it. Eating cacao means more "happy chemicals" like your endorphins and serotonin, both of which are mood-boosters.

Cacao: A true Superfood, cacao can enhance cognitive function, boost mental health and reduce oxidative stress with antioxidants. It supports cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and mediates the natural inflammatory response. Cacao can also boost one’s energy levels, strengthen bone and skin health, and even reduce the risk of cancer. Cacao is rich in flavanols, which lower blood pressure by improving nitric oxide levels and blood vessel function. Several studies have found that polyphenols, such as those in cacao, may reduce your risk of neurodegenerative diseases by improving brain function and blood flow. Raw cacao is an incredibly rich source of magnesium which will significantly boost your energy levels, but also help you relax and sleep better. Magnesium, often referred to as the ‘sleep mineral’ is instrumental in sleep and is a natural relaxant that helps deactivate adrenaline. And boy has everything going on in the world these days activated our adrenals! A lack of magnesium can be directly linked to difficulty going and staying asleep. And drumroll please…Cacao is said to be the highest magnesium containing food on the planet!

5 Benefits of Raw Organic Cacao

Cacao (pronounced “cu-COW”) refers to the Theobroma Cacao tree from which Cocoa is derived and is used when referring to unprocessed versions of the cacao bean. Normal cocoa powder and chocolate have been chemically processed and roasted, which destroys a large amount of the antioxidants and flavanols (the things that keep you young and healthy).  A recent study suggested that between 60% and 90% of the original antioxidants in cacao are lost through common “Dutch processing”.  Dutch processing was originally developed in the early 19th Century to reduce the bitterness, darken the color, and create a more mellow flavor to chocolate, but unfortunately also eliminated a bunch of the goodness.

1.  40 Times the Antioxidants of Blueberries

Raw Organic Cacao has over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries.  Yes, 40 times!  It has an amazing ORAC score of 98,000 per 100g, vs blueberries at a mere 2,400.  ORAC scores measure the ability of antioxidants to absorb free radicals (that come from pollution and toxins in our environment), which cause cell and tissue damage and can lead to diseases such as cancer.

2.  Highest Plant-Based Source of Iron

On a plant-based/vegan diet and looking for iron?  The search is over!  Cacao is the highest plant-based source of iron known to man, at a whopping 13.9 mg per 100g.  This compares to beef and lamb at 2.5 mg, and spinach at 3.6 mg. While you might not eat 100 grams of cacao in one sitting, it still makes it an admirable iron-boosting addition to your diet. Note the iron in cacao is non-heme (as is all plant-based iron), so to get the maximum benefits you’ll want to combine it with some vitamin C. 

3.  Full of Magnesium for a Healthy Heart & Brain

Raw Organic Cacao is also one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium, the most deficient mineral in the Western world.  Magnesium is important for a healthy heart, and helps turn glucose into energy enabling your brain to work with laser-sharp clarity and focus.  The reason why you might turn to a bar of chocolate during an all-nighter at your desk.

4.  More Calcium Than Cow’s Milk

Raw Organic Cacao has more calcium than cow’s milk would you believe, at 160mg per 100g vs only 125mg per 100ml of milk.  Time to switch out the trim latte for a couple of squares of dairy-free raw chocolate.

5.  A Natural Mood Elevator and Anti-Depressant

Cacao is a great source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals – serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylethylamine. These neurotransmitters are associated with cosy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression.  A natural, healthy, delicious (and legal) way to get your happy buzz on.

THE CALMING SIDE OF CACAO

A cup of cocoa before bed can work wonders. It not only warms you from inside out, it also makes you euphoric and calm. Why? Because of the magnesium and tryptophan found in cacao powder. You might be wondering, but what about the caffeine? Isn’t it a stimulant? Most of us associate cacao as being a stimulating food. Think again. Most cacao out there contains a minor amount of caffeine (less than 1%), not enough to disturb you, or prevent you from a deep sleep. Even for those of you that are highly sensitive to caffeine, it’s worth giving it a try as it will actually nourish you with the calming powers of magnesium and tryptophan. However, the thought of cacao being an energizer is largely due to the Theobromine it contains, which is a stimulant, but does not affect your central nervous system like caffeine. 

CALMING + SOOTHING AGENTS:

Magnesium: Magnesium is a powerful mineral that is instrumental in sleep and is a natural relaxant that helps deactivate adrenaline. A lack of magnesium can be directly linked to difficulty going and staying asleep. Magnesium is often referred to as the sleep mineral. Magnesium also fights acid buildup, neutralizes toxins, calms sensitivity to pain, quiets nerves, builds strong bones and teeth and is essential for many other functions. Over 80% of Americans are chronically deficient in magnesium. Cacao is said to be the highest magnesium containing food on the planet.

Tryptophan: Tryptophan is an amino acid that when ingested gets turned into the neurotransmitter serotonin and then converted into the hormone melatonin. Raw cacao boosts the body’s natural production of serotonin, increasing our mood and ability to fend off stress. Both magnesium and tryptophan, are necessary chemicals for the production of serotonin. Tryptophan is heat-volatile and therefore non-existent in cooked chocolate, making raw chocolate an excellent way to obtain dietary tryptophan.

EUPHORIC AGENTS:

Theobromine: A bitter alkaloid found in cacao, also found in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and kola nuts. Theobromine has been studied to reduce blood pressure, support against oxidative damage, cardio-protective, raises HDL levels (good cholesterol), protects the brain, anti-inflammatory, and more. Cacao’s minimal caffeine content is often confused with a similar alkaloid, theobromine. Caffeine is said to be a nervous system stimulant, whereas theobromine is a cardiovascular stimulant, increasing heart function and blood flow and has about one quarter the stimulating power of caffeine. Cacao contains about twice as much theobromine than caffeine.